Hutchison strong as Blue Jays blank Phillies

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) - Drew Hutchison gave up one hit in 5 1-3 scoreless innings and led the Toronto Blue Jays past the Philadelphia Phillies 3-0 on Thursday.

Hutchison is scheduled to start Toronto’s second regular season game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. He allowed a single to Jimmy Rollins in the fourth, walked three and struck out three.

The right-hander beat out several candidates, including Todd Redmond, Esmil Rogers and Ricky Romero, for a spot in the rotation. He was 5-3 with a 4.60 ERA in 11 starts as a rookie last season.

“I battled today,” Hutchison said. “I wasn’t really crisp. I got behind way too much, actually. But on days like that, I can come back and make good pitches, it’s a good sign.”

Dioner Navarro hit a sacrifice fly off Phillies starter A.J. Burnett in the fourth. Gabe Jacobo added a two-run single in the eighth.

Burnett gave up three hits with one walk and six strikeouts in five innings. The right-hander signed a two-year, $22.5 million deal with Philadelphia in February after spending the last two seasons with Pittsburgh.

HAMELS PITCHES

Phillies starter Cole Hamels (left shoulder inflammation) pitched two innings in a minor league game, his first outing of the spring.

The left-hander said he felt well after recording nine outs and throwing 20 of 30 pitches for strikes against Pittsburgh’s Triple-A players.

“I’m really pleased and really confident, and what I’m able to do now is to truly get spring training in,” Hamels said. “Obviously it’s a little late, but I feel healthy and I think that’s really the key.”

Hamels plans to join the Phillies in Arlington for their season opener against the Rangers on Monday before returning to the team’s training complex in Clearwater to continue his rehab.

STARTING TIME

Blue Jays: Hutchison said despite close competition, he never doubted his chances to make the rotation and is prepared to show he belongs.

“For me, I expected to make the team,” Hutchison said. “This is not anything (surprising). I expected to make the team and now I’m ready to go perform.”